So The "G" Word Came Up…

Justin and I spent almost all of Sunday together—we met for brunch, had a few bloodies, and since it was freezing out, decided to go back to his place and veg out on the couch. When we got there, Justin made the astute observation that full relaxation would not be possible in skinny jeans, so he lent me a pair of his sweat pants and a tee. It's the first time I've borrowed clothes from a guy who I haven't slept with yet, and it felt oddly intimate.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

"You make my clothes look really good," Justin said to me when I sat down on the couch next to him. Then he grabbed me and pulled me to him for a kiss. The kiss turned into a solid makeout session. But as heated as things got, neither tried to take it any further than just kissing and groping. It's like we have this mutual understanding that we are not ready to go there yet.

Once we'd gotten that out of our systems, we found a good movie (Hot Fuzz—if you've never seen, I highly recommend) and spooned on the couch. In my big warm boy-clothes, with Justin's hand on my hip and his breath warm against my neck, it was the absolute best way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Best.

More From Cosmopolitan

I was bummed when the movie was over because I was so not ready to leave. Thankfully, Justin wasn't ready for me to leave either.

"I'm not even that hungry but want to order dinner?" Justin asked.

I grinned. "Sundays are made to eat all the bad food you want even when you're not hungry."

We browsed a few menus online before settling on Thai food and wine (you can get wine delivered in New York and it is a godsend). Once we placed the order, I reclined on my back and put my feet in Justin's lap while he channel-surfed.

"So anything I need to know about your family before I meet them next weekend?"

"They have scales covering their entire bodies," Justin said.

I kicked him. "Come on."

Justin laughed. "There's not much to know. You met my brother at my fundraiser, you met my sister last week, and my parents are like normal, boring parents. A little protective over me after what I went through, but nothing extreme."

"Your sister is definitely protective of you," I said.

"My sister is a tough cookie, everyone says that."

"Phew," I said. "I thought it was just me."

Justin shook his head. "Nah. She's like this with every girlfriend in the beginning."

At the sound of the word girlfriend, my heart skipped a beat. Justin heard how it sounded too.

"Food's here!" Justin said, practically throwing my feet off his lap and leaping off the couch. It would have been funnier if he hadn't been so damn desperate for any chance to get off this subject. Why are guys such babies sometimes?

As we ate, Justin chattered on and on. I could barely get a word in edgewise. It was like he was scared I was going to bring up our "relationship" if given the opportunity to speak. Is it just me, or is it all kinds of bizarre that the mere mention of the word "girlfriend" sent him into such a tizzy? Especially when he was the one to say to it, not me. Geesh. Please tell me this is not a sign that he's some kind of closet commitment-phobe.